Siberian student scales birch tree for Internet access as classes move online

Alexei Dudoladov is seen on a birch tree for better cellular network coverage in his remote Siberian village of Stankevichi, Russia, Nov 13. — Alexey Malgavko/Reuters

STANKEVICHI, Russia: Russian student Alexei Dudoladov has been forced to go to great lengths – or rather great heights – to attend classes online, having to climb a birch tree in his remote Siberian village every time he needs an Internet connection.

The 21-year-old, a popular blogger and a student at the Omsk Institute of Water Transport, located 2,225 kilometres (1,383 miles) east of Moscow, has got the authorities' attention by pleading for better Internet coverage from the top of a snow-covered birch tree.